In 2019, the 86th Texas Legislature established the new requirement for Texas students to complete a financial aid application (FAFSA/TAFSA) or formally opt out in order to graduate. The State Board of Education adopted rules related to the new requirement in January 2021. This is a graduation requirement. 

The student may opt out of the financial aid application graduation requirement if: 

• A parent or guardian submits a signed form; 
• The student is 18 years or older and submits a signed form; or 
• A school counselor authorizes the student to decline to complete and submit the application for good cause.

FAFSA is the form that the federal government, states, colleges and other organizations use to award financial aid. Completing the FAFSA is the first step for anyone making college plans. Submitting it is your key to accessing grants, scholarships, work-study programs and federal student loans. 

Before you can start filling out the form, you will need a private email address for you and your child. You will need to create a Federal Student Aid (FSA) account by setting up a username and password. Your child and one of the parents will need an FSA account to get a FSA ID. 

Your child will be filling out the FAFSA account to receive his/her ID number on campus and you will need to fill one out to fill out the application for your ID number. You will need your last 2 years of tax returns. Once you and you both receive a PIN number, you can start filling out the information to complete in December. 

This is a great way to find out if your child can qualify for financial assistance to help pay for college. You can begin this process now by first registering and receiving a PIN number at the website: StudentAid.gov